AIMS, Specialist in AI Human Business, Selected as Judge for World-Renowned Film Craft Award 'CICLOPE Asia Pacific 2026'
Matheus Katayama, Creative Director at AIMS, has been selected as a jury member for the global film craft award 'CICLOPE Asia Pacific 2026'.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 26, 2026 at 23:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 26, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 27, 2026 at 06:59 (16h 27m after Collected)
AIMS, a company developing brand communications through strategic AI humans (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Genya Ohashi), is pleased to announce that our Creative Director, Matheus Katayama, has been selected as a jury member for 'CICLOPE Asia Pacific 2026', the Asia-Pacific regional edition of the world's premier film craft award, 'CICLOPE'. The awards ceremony will be held on May 28, 2026 (Thursday) at the Rebel Theatre in Sydney, Australia.
'CICLOPE' is the premier global advertising award specialized in film craft, held annually in Berlin, Germany. In the past, front-line creators representing advertising creativity and film production, such as David Droga, Sir John Hegarty, and Spike Lee, have taken the stage. The Asia-Pacific edition jury is composed of just 38 top creators representing the region, including creators from Dentsu and TBWA\Media Arts Lab Tokyo from Japan.
Having personnel from a company that centers on AI, like AIMS, serve as a judge for a global award that evaluates human-made craft is a significant movement in creativity during the Generative AI era.
## What is CICLOPE: The Apex of 'Craft' Recognized by the World
CICLOPE is a world-class film craft award established in 2010. From over 1,800 entries annually, it recognizes TV commercials, music videos, and short film works worldwide based on unique evaluation criteria that assess the craft itself. Past winners include works from global brands such as Apple, L'Oréal Paris, KFC, and WWF.
'CICLOPE Asia Pacific' started in 2018 as the regional edition of the award. In 2026, it will span 4 sections and 23 categories, evaluating works from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, India, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, and more.
## Selected as one of 38 Judges Representing Asia
The judging structure for CICLOPE Asia Pacific 2026 is as follows:
- Jury Presidents (5 members): Leaders of production companies and agencies from around the world, such as Academy Films (UK), Iconoclast Germany (Germany), 72andSunny (US), Untold Studios (UK), and Superprime Films (US).
- Jury (38 members): Composed of top players in the Asia-Pacific region, including Dentsu and TBWA\Media Arts Lab Tokyo. Katayama was selected as one of these 38.
## Background: The State of 'Craft' in the AI Era
CICLOPE has been an award that honors 'human-made craft' found in the details of film expression. On the other hand, AIMS is a company developing businesses centered on AI humans and AI creativity. While these may seem to be in different contexts, CICLOPE Asia Pacific 2026 has introduced new categories such as 'Creative Use of AI' and 'Sustainability & Social Impact' to define the future of creativity.
As Generative AI rapidly penetrates film production sites, the question of 'What should remain as craft driven by human sensibility?' and 'How to incorporate AI into the core of creativity?' has become a common interest throughout the industry. Adding personnel from companies like AIMS, which place AI at the core of creativity, to the jury seat is one movement in addressing these industry questions.
## Comments from Matheus Katayama
'I am very honored to have been selected as a jury member for 'CICLOPE Asia Pacific', the world's premier award specialized in film craft.
CICLOPE has traditionally evaluated the passion of the maker that resides in each cut and the human sensibility that permeates the details. Personally, I have pursued expressions that entrust emotions to the image itself, spanning domains such as advertising and music videos. That is why I feel great significance in participating as a member of AIMS, which promotes AI creativity, on the stage of CICLOPE, which has continued to praise such craft.
Our vision is that 'AI does not replace humans, but rather expands human potential.' The essence of craft is the question of 'how far the maker's will carries through in the work,' and AI will never steal human craft. I consider it a 'new wing' for creators' wills to fly further.
As a judge, while encountering overwhelming works created by top creators in the Asia-Pacific, I look forward to re-examining the fusion point of 'human touch that will never be replaced' and 'unknown expressions newly generated by technology' in the Generative AI era, and engaging in broad discussions.'
Matheus Katayama
Creative Director, AIMS
Born in Brazil in 1997. Started film production activities in 2017 at the age of 19 while studying at a university in London. After returning to Japan in 2018, he fully engaged as a film director after editing and art directing numerous magazines and media based in London and Tokyo. His style is characterized by the fleeting nature of storytelling through images and fantastic worldviews. Notable works include Troye Sivan 'Take Yourself Home', Thelma Aoyama 'stay with me', Aisho Nakajima 'GANGBANG feat. Yohji Igarashi', Capper 'Deep Sea', Issei Uno Fifth 'TEENAGE PROBLEM', and showmore 'liquid'. Selected for '100 Film Makers' (BNN Publishing).
## Event Overview: CICLOPE Asia Pacific 2026
Date: May 28, 2026 (Thursday)
Location: The Rebel Theatre, Sydney, Australia
Official Website: https://apac.ciclopefestival.com
'CICLOPE' is the premier global advertising award specialized in film craft, held annually in Berlin, Germany. In the past, front-line creators representing advertising creativity and film production, such as David Droga, Sir John Hegarty, and Spike Lee, have taken the stage. The Asia-Pacific edition jury is composed of just 38 top creators representing the region, including creators from Dentsu and TBWA\Media Arts Lab Tokyo from Japan.
Having personnel from a company that centers on AI, like AIMS, serve as a judge for a global award that evaluates human-made craft is a significant movement in creativity during the Generative AI era.
## What is CICLOPE: The Apex of 'Craft' Recognized by the World
CICLOPE is a world-class film craft award established in 2010. From over 1,800 entries annually, it recognizes TV commercials, music videos, and short film works worldwide based on unique evaluation criteria that assess the craft itself. Past winners include works from global brands such as Apple, L'Oréal Paris, KFC, and WWF.
'CICLOPE Asia Pacific' started in 2018 as the regional edition of the award. In 2026, it will span 4 sections and 23 categories, evaluating works from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, India, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, and more.
## Selected as one of 38 Judges Representing Asia
The judging structure for CICLOPE Asia Pacific 2026 is as follows:
- Jury Presidents (5 members): Leaders of production companies and agencies from around the world, such as Academy Films (UK), Iconoclast Germany (Germany), 72andSunny (US), Untold Studios (UK), and Superprime Films (US).
- Jury (38 members): Composed of top players in the Asia-Pacific region, including Dentsu and TBWA\Media Arts Lab Tokyo. Katayama was selected as one of these 38.
## Background: The State of 'Craft' in the AI Era
CICLOPE has been an award that honors 'human-made craft' found in the details of film expression. On the other hand, AIMS is a company developing businesses centered on AI humans and AI creativity. While these may seem to be in different contexts, CICLOPE Asia Pacific 2026 has introduced new categories such as 'Creative Use of AI' and 'Sustainability & Social Impact' to define the future of creativity.
As Generative AI rapidly penetrates film production sites, the question of 'What should remain as craft driven by human sensibility?' and 'How to incorporate AI into the core of creativity?' has become a common interest throughout the industry. Adding personnel from companies like AIMS, which place AI at the core of creativity, to the jury seat is one movement in addressing these industry questions.
## Comments from Matheus Katayama
'I am very honored to have been selected as a jury member for 'CICLOPE Asia Pacific', the world's premier award specialized in film craft.
CICLOPE has traditionally evaluated the passion of the maker that resides in each cut and the human sensibility that permeates the details. Personally, I have pursued expressions that entrust emotions to the image itself, spanning domains such as advertising and music videos. That is why I feel great significance in participating as a member of AIMS, which promotes AI creativity, on the stage of CICLOPE, which has continued to praise such craft.
Our vision is that 'AI does not replace humans, but rather expands human potential.' The essence of craft is the question of 'how far the maker's will carries through in the work,' and AI will never steal human craft. I consider it a 'new wing' for creators' wills to fly further.
As a judge, while encountering overwhelming works created by top creators in the Asia-Pacific, I look forward to re-examining the fusion point of 'human touch that will never be replaced' and 'unknown expressions newly generated by technology' in the Generative AI era, and engaging in broad discussions.'
Matheus Katayama
Creative Director, AIMS
Born in Brazil in 1997. Started film production activities in 2017 at the age of 19 while studying at a university in London. After returning to Japan in 2018, he fully engaged as a film director after editing and art directing numerous magazines and media based in London and Tokyo. His style is characterized by the fleeting nature of storytelling through images and fantastic worldviews. Notable works include Troye Sivan 'Take Yourself Home', Thelma Aoyama 'stay with me', Aisho Nakajima 'GANGBANG feat. Yohji Igarashi', Capper 'Deep Sea', Issei Uno Fifth 'TEENAGE PROBLEM', and showmore 'liquid'. Selected for '100 Film Makers' (BNN Publishing).
## Event Overview: CICLOPE Asia Pacific 2026
Date: May 28, 2026 (Thursday)
Location: The Rebel Theatre, Sydney, Australia
Official Website: https://apac.ciclopefestival.com
FAQ
What kind of company is AIMS?
AIMS is a creative company in the AI era that focuses on the design and implementation of brand communications using strategic AI humans.
What is the core of this news?
The core is that a creator from an AI company serving as a judge for a traditional film craft award will help redefine creativity in the AI era.
Why is the selection of a judge for CICLOPE Asia Pacific important?
It is important because having an AI expert participate in judging for a global award that values 'human-made craft' will establish new evaluation criteria.